Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/07/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I used to drive my uncle's 1974 Jensen Healey...with the Lotus engine, a Vauxhaul gearbox (I believe), along with two Stromberg carbs...like a little rocket and I always loved it. Was my intro to what a sports car was and I've never gotten over it! Being 17, driving that with the cute girl down the road, and feeling the acceleration of the car was magical! Robert Clark Lancaster, PA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank Dernie" <Frank.Dernie at btinternet.com> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org> Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 1:38 AM Subject: Re: [Leica] speaking of cars violently OT > Try an Elise. > Frank > > On 11 Jul, 2009, at 06:06, Adam Bridge wrote: > >> I had a Lotus S2 - two 2-barrel Webers. It was a RIP to drive but needed >> lots of TLC as cars of that era did. >> I loved the close-ratio gearbox and how it would leap ahead with the >> slightest urging. Stopped darn well too! >> >> Of course it would never pass today's crash tests but I'd love a modern >> Lotus roadster to be a retake on the Elan. The top can leak, that's >> okay! >> >> Adam >> >> On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 9:33 PM, Frank Dernie >> <Frank.Dernie at btinternet.com>wrote: >> >>> The Elan S4 was a favourite of mine. It had Stromberg carbs which gave >>> more >>> power and broader torque band than the more fashionable Webers, and >>> better >>> fuel consumption. It was surprisingly roomy for such a tiny light car. >>> Frank >>> >>> >>> On 11 Jul, 2009, at 00:42, Jerry Lehrer wrote: >>> >>> Dennis und Frank >>>> >>>> The original Europa mit Renault engine was a dog! But the original >>>> Elite, if it had modern brakes would really be >>>> a windy road car. The Elan S2 when de-bugged is a superb handling >>>> car. >>>> >>>> Yes, I've used them all >>>> >>>> Jerry Lehrer >>>> >>>> >>>> Dennis wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi Frank, >>>>> >>>>> I wondered your thoughts on Lotus' road cars. I had a Europa Special >>>>> and >>>>> it is a marvel. Very light, incredible suspension, and so responsive. >>>>> I >>>>> thought Colin Chapman brilliant and was stunned at his premature >>>>> passing. >>>>> >>>>> I could never afford one of todays 'supercars' but if I could I would >>>>> likely own a Lotus and use some of that "leftover" money for a worthy >>>>> cause. >>>>> >>>>> I agree the Veyron is an ugly piece ;-) >>>>> >>>>> But, Lotus aside, what do you make of the Ariel Atom? >>>>> >>>>> Dennis >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Frank Dernie wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Pagani Zonda. >>>>>> For "frequent" use Ferrari 599. >>>>>> For daily use Porsche 911 turbo. >>>>>> For pure driving Lotus anything. >>>>>> >>>>>> There are lots of cars about which have fancy styling and are "2 >>>>>> seat >>>>>> limos" with loads of kit, weight and electronic driving aids to make >>>>>> them >>>>>> easy to drive for less good drivers. >>>>>> These are great pose-mobiles and practical for a rich person of >>>>>> limited >>>>>> talent to show-off in. >>>>>> >>>>>> I may have left some out, I am neither wealthy enough nor interested >>>>>> enough to study in detail. Weight is the most important chassis >>>>>> parameter >>>>>> for performance. Road cars are to a great extent a fashion item and >>>>>> image >>>>>> statement. Published stuff tends to be acceleration and top speed. >>>>>> It is >>>>>> possible to get impressive figures for these without much chassis >>>>>> sophistication at all. Since weight is currently not something >>>>>> fashionable >>>>>> to minimise "supercars" are now as heavy as trucks, hence no longer >>>>>> supercars IMO. This Bugatti thing weighs the same as 2 Ford GT40s! >>>>>> >>>>>> To put perspective on this, +10kg on a F1 car loses over 0.3 secs >>>>>> per >>>>>> lap. >>>>>> >>>>>> Frank >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Leica Users Group. >>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >